Exploring visual journalism

War of 1812

Tall ships arrive in Baltimore as part of the Star-Spangled bicentennial. The ships’ arrival kick off events celebrating the bicentennial of the Battle of Baltimore — and of Francis Scott Key’s writing of the “Star-Spangled Banner” as he watched the British fail in their attack on Fort McHenry this week in 1814. Officials are expecting at least a million people to attend the events.

The city of Baltimore is peppered with historic national sites. One the most important is the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House located on Pratt Street near Little Italy. Founded in 1927 the museum is the home of Mary Pickersgill, who sewed the 30 X 42 foot American flag that flew over Fort McHenry during the September 1814 Battle of Baltimore.

Interest in re-creating battle scenes and collecting relics of war is nothing new. But with today’s Star-Spangled Sailabration in Baltimore’s waters, what better time to revisit the important connection Maryland has with the War of 1812.